The Chamber Hosts More than 200 Small Business Owners for Annual Meeting

By MICHAEL ANDERSON, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

On Wednesday, October 20, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting returned as an in-person event in a big way at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Following a virtual affair in 2020, over 225 Chamber members arrived to receive updates on the Chamber and hear from new lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, during the business meeting breakfast. Amazon and AT&T served as Signature Sponsors while Con Edison, Northfield Bank, and United Activities Unlimited (UAU) were Partner Sponsors for the event.

Michael Assenza, the Chamber Chairman of the Board, opened the meeting and remarked how great it was to be back to an in-person event and see all our friends, including Hilton Garden Inn owners and husband-and-wife team Richard and Lois Nicotra. Assenza spoke about the current business landscape and how so many businesses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chamber President and CEO Linda Baran echoed her joy seeing so many familiar faces again in the audience. 

“Our Annual Meeting is always a wonderful chance for all our members to come and connect with other business professionals. Whether they’re getting reacquainted or meeting someone for the first time, the Meeting serves as a great face-to-face opportunity to share business stories and network,” she said. 

Baran also provided updates during the past year’s 125th Anniversary events, including the virtual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards in February, the Chamber Open Golf Outing in June, and the Police Officer of the Year Awards in July. She also discussed the Chamber’s successful efforts with the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, plus its assistance in helping businesses receive much-needed grants and loans. 

It’s been less than two months since Benjamin was appointed New York's lieutenant governor, but the guest speaker made it clear that his affinity for small businesses dates back much further. 

“I come from business. I went to business school, and after business school, I spent a lot of time working with a small, minority-owned business where we built affordable housing. We hired local people in the community, and those people hired people in the community,” said Benjamin, who cited his previous collaborations with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. “I will say to everyone here that small businesses are the backbone of New York State and the backbone of New York City. And as Lieutenant Governor, I will work closely with the Governor (Kathy Hochul) to make sure we are providing the resources and support that small businesses need to keep our economy flowing.” 

Benjamin – who previously served as the New York State Senator for District 30, which encompasses Harlem, East Harlem, and the Upper West Side, where he served as the Chair of the Budget and Revenue Committee, Acting President Officer, and as the Senior Assistant Majority Leader -- was also recently appointed the chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils by the Governor and said he would continue to look for projects to ensure every dollar can be captured in New York State.

“We will continue to talk and work together to make sure we have a strong, vibrant Staten Island. I have a lot of friends in Staten Island, and I am honored to be serving with you all today,” said Benjamin. “If there are other ideas that we should be considering that are unique to Staten Island, we need to know that so we can make sure we’re having customized solutions that will help all of our businesses.”    

Brian Licata, the Membership Relations Manager at the Chamber, detailed the work conducted by the Chamber’s NYC Small Business Recovery Network Specialists. Through their dedication and hard work, the Chamber was able to connect with over 3,200 businesses. 

Janet Dugo, the Project Manager for the Downtown Staten Island Commercial District, detailed the ongoing efforts taking place in the St. George, Tompkinsville, and Stapleton areas. Some of that work includes supplemental street cleaning, one-on-one counseling with small businesses on pandemic relief, and the upcoming Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects.  

Dom Provenzano, the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Chamber, unveiled a new Chamber logo and color scheme. The new logo adopts a blue and gold color scheme that evokes the ferry and the water that surrounds the Island from the other boroughs. The new design will roll out in January 2022. 

Provenzano also highlighted that the Annual Meeting coincided with National Support Your Chamber of Commerce Day. “During a year and a half where fundraising has been difficult, we ask that you participate in supporting your Chamber however you can,” Provenzano said. “Whether you refer other businesses, come to or participate in future events, or simply spread the word about how the Chamber has helped you, your efforts can go a long way to ensure the vibrancy and sustainability of the Chamber.”

The Annual Meeting also honored those members who reached significant membership milestones during 2021. Fourteen total members were cited for maintaining their membership for 25, 50, and even 75 years.

Celebrating 25 years with the Chamber in 2021 is Brownie's Pro & Sport Hobbies, Colonial Funeral Home, Control Electric Contracting Corp., Cutrona Architecture PLLC, Gateway Church, GCT USA, Grado & Associates, Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn, Mrs. Rosemary's Dance Studio, Sagona Landscaping Contractors, and Showtime Publications. The 50-year members are Casey Funeral Home and LiGreci’s Staaten while the Staten Island Museum celebrates 75 years with the Chamber. 

To read the long-term member stories, visit https://www.sichamber.com/news/the-2021-annual-meeting-honoring

Lastly, the event featured a keynote speech by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer from Lions Pride Leadership. In his keynote, entitled “My 9/11 FDNY Experience and the Power of Hope,” Picarello highlighted his theme of hope by connecting his experiences as a NYC Firefighter after 9/11 to conditions after the pandemic.   

Attending the event were: Jennifer Sammartino, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Borough President James Oddo; Tommy Scarangello, Staten Island Regional Representative for the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul; North Shore Assemblyman Charles Fall; and Mid-Island Assemblyman Michael Tannousis.

Photos by Steve White, Staten Arts Photography